North-east police officer killed in M8 accident

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE'Undated handout photo issued by Police Scotland of Detective Constable Ian Smollet who was struck and killed by a tanker on a motorway. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday April 12, 2014. The 35 year old off-duty police officer stepped out of a vehicle on the hard'shoulder of the M8 outside Edinburgh when he was hit by a passing truck'on Thursday. See PA story SCOTLAND Motorway. Photo credit should read: Police Scotland/PA Wire''NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

An off-duty police officer killed in a motorway accident near Edinburgh came from Ellon.

Ian Smollet, 35, died after being struck by a lorry on the M8 last Thursday afternoon.

The detective constable worked with Lothians and Scottish Borders division of Police Scotland and lived in Livingston, West Lothian.

Mr Smollet, who had been travelling with his father William, had stepped out of their car on the hard shoulder and was hit by the passing lorry.

The accident, involving a Leyland DAF truck, occurred on the carriageway near junction two.

The father of two young daughters, whose wife Laura is also from Ellon and is expecting their third child, was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died from his injuries.

It emerged that Mr Smollet had pulled over to the hard shoulder to get some fresh air after feeling unwell.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, his family said: “Ian was a caring and loving husband, an amazing dad and will be missed immensely.”

Colleagues extended their sympathies to the family.

Chief Superintendent Gill Imery said: “It is with the deepest regret I can confirm that Detective Constable Ian Smollet, who served in the Lothians and Scottish Borders division, has died following Thursday’s collision on the M8.

“Our sympathies are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.

“Road policing officers are continuing their investigation and I would urge any members of the public who witnessed the collision, or who believe they can assist with this inquiry, to contact police immediately.”

News of the tragedy also prompted tributes in Ellon.

Local Councillor Rob Merson said: “I was very saddened to hear of the death of Mr Smollet.

“As a young father, husband and serving police officer, his tragic loss will be felt by a great many close friends and family. “The circumstances of his death will be particularly hard to bear for his father, who witnessed the accident, and I offer my sincere condolences to the family.”